Constructive cooperation between the US and China will be the focus of President George W. Bush's forthcoming visit, according to Mei Zhaorong, president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA).

"Both countries should increase mutual understanding and reduce differences through dialogues based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the three communiques between the two in order to develop mutually beneficial, healthy and stable bilateral relations,'' he said.

Mei made the remarks Tuesday, two days before Bush's two-day visit to Beijing.

The CPIFA is one of China's top non-governmental organizations involving foreign contacts. It maintains extensive contacts with statesmen, diplomats, public figures, scholars and entrepreneurs in more than 130 countries.

"I hope Bush can fulfill his promise of developing constructive cooperative relations with China by carrying out concrete action," said Mei.

The past year witnessed a series of twists and turns in bilateral ties. However, with joint efforts, relations have showed improvement in the second half of the year.

Mei pointed out the Bush administration has readjusted its stance on China from a "strategic competitor" to stress development of constructive cooperative relations with China since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

The new change in direction is worth paying attention to and welcomed, Mei said, adding constructive cooperation should be expanded to various fields, such as politics, economics, science and culture.

The development of Sino-American relations is of the interests of the two nations but also benefits worldwide peace, stability and development, Mei said, adding that, as the biggest developing country and the biggest developed country in the world, China and the US respectively have many common interests, yet substantial differences remain in bilateral relations.

He pointed out this year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1972 Shanghai Communique, which opened the door for bilateral contacts and exchanges.

This agreement, plus the joint communique of establishment of diplomatic relations and the "August 17" joint communique, are key to the sound and steady advancement of bilateral relations, he said.

Mei pointed out the Taiwan question -- the most sensitive issue in the bilateral relations -- has proved to be the major disruption to the stable development of Sino-US relations.

Chinese urge the US to stop arms sales to Taiwan and abandon its assistance to Taiwanese separatist forces, Mei said, calling the US to abide by the one-China policy and peaceful reunification.

Mei noted there is now greater potential for the development of Sino-US trade relations.

Trade volume between the two nations hit US$80.5 billion last year, and the US has been China's second biggest trade partner while China is its fourth biggest.

Under these circumstances, it is especially important for the two sides to enhance mutual understanding and dialogue, said Mei.

In a bid to further promote bilateral ties, the CPIFA will continue to host various non-official, high-level and substantive exchange activities between the two countries, Mei concluded.

(China Daily February 20, 2002)